Water Management Resources
To learn more about your local water resources and how to manage them, check out the links below.
Volunteer Lake and Stream Monitoring
Cooperative Lakes Monitoring Program (CLMP)
Get involved in an Adopt-a-Stream Monitoring program offered by your local watershed council/organization:
Michigan Inland Lakes and Streams Water Quality Database
Browse the searchable database of the Michigan Surface Water Information System to learn about surface water quality in Michigan's lakes and streams.
Find Your Watershed - Enter your ZIP code to get information about the watershed(s) in that area.
Groundwater
Learn more about groundwater movement with this educational animation.
Lake Management and Ecology Resources
Oakland County Surface Water Testing (Bacteria only)
The Oakland County Health Division offers a service to Oakland County residents for testing surface waters for E. coli bacteria for a nominal fee. Bottles can be picked up at either of the two offices Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sample drop-off schedule at the OCHD offices is the same as for drinking water samples. Please visit their Web site for additional information.
Water sample results will be reviewed by the environmental health staff and returned to the client.
For questions, please contact the Oakland County Health Division office closest to you.Pontiac Office: 248-858-1312
Southfield Office: 248-424-7191
Applicable Environmental Permit and Water Law Information:
- Michigan Department of Environmental Quality's (MDEQ) approval is needed for any alterations at or below the water's edge or in wetlands. Visit the MDEQ's Land and Water Resource Division Web site to learn more and to download application forms.
Oakland County's Environmental Stewardship Program
Oakland County's Watershed Management Programs
Center for Watershed Protection